Grim Echoes

Chapter 55 - Ander

Ander opened his eyes, pleased the headache was gone. Perhaps additional rest was the correct choice. Difficult for him to ever admit that was the best choice, because even if rest was in order Ander refused to do it. Time was finite. He reminded himself of what was real and what was not. That was one of the first thoughts. Due to his choices, he had less time than the average human. He had wondered, but never allowed himself, to know the amount of damage done to his heart from the years of abuse on stimulants. His years in medical school gave him enough knowledge to know it had shortened his life.

He rolled onto his back and closed his eyes. Instead of holding his knife, he thought about Maeve. How her warm body felt curled into his as they slept. The way her voice sounded when she asked him to rest. He laid there peacefully, his mind drifted until the door abruptly opened. Ander resisted the urge to cast a defensive spell and bit his tongue until he tasted blood.

"Fuck Andy, you'd be dead if it wasn't me." Will stomped around the room.

"We have lunch," Maeve carried a bag.

The corners if his mouth tilted up as she breezed by him. Ander sat his eyes widened when he saw a new table that Maeve sat the bag on. Will noticed his attention on the table.

"I paid for the other table and made em give me a new one,"

It had not been the first time Will had broken property somewhere they had been staying. However, it was unusual for him to be proactive and pay for the broken item and have it replaced. Typically, it fell under Ander's duties. He left the bed and used the bathroom to freshen up before he joined them. Will had also procured a third chair as well.

His appetite had returned. Maeve smiled at him as she handed him a closed container. Ander opened it, delighted to find an avocado chicken salad with the correct dressing. He knew Will had not ordered it. Will detested ordering salads, even if he forced himself to do such, he would not order correctly. Primarily because he ignored anyone's food but his own.

"Down to business, we're gonna talk about the mission." Will paused and looked at Maeve.

Did he recall he agreed to allow her to be part of the mission? Will narrowed his eyes and scrutinized Maeve again. Ander took a bite of his salad to maintain his silence. He accepted Will was paranoid, but his attitude toward Maeve fifty percent of the time was ridiculously hostile. She gazed back at him with a small, serene smile. Surprised as Will sat back and grinned back. Had she just disarmed him with a smile?

"You were saying," Maeve prompted.

"So last night was kinda fucked up, but I think we got good info. Right Ander?"

Ander nodded. He had thought about the information he had collected from the patrons as he dozed once they left the room.

"Everything check out?"

"Yes, the file contains the correct locations. There are five potential hives,"

"Do you want to know what Ron told me?" Maeve asked with a wary expression.

"Sure, what did Ron tell you," Although his tone was casual, Will spat out the word Ron.

Maeve looked at her food. "Well he's a demolition guy, takes down rundown buildings. He told me about some buildings his crew was going to demolish. He listed two of the places that were in the file so I tried to get him to talk more about them but then we were done talking." she rushed the last words.

"Which two places?" Ander asked before Will could react.

"An old warehouse and a condemned church."

Ander nodded and thought about the locations; cross referencing the data in his mind. "Did he tell you when he was going to demolish the buildings?"